Chapter 601 - Can I Still Call You Duke? (2/2)

Gretel was shocked. She didn’t think that things were more dramatic than she’d imagined. Link had killed both Light and Dark Magicians. After a moment, she asked the most important question. “Did you get the piece?”

When asking the question, she wished that Link would tell her he didn’t. Even if it was a lie, she would accept it and move on.

So what if Link became the ruler? He had the ability. As the ruler of Ferde, the territory had prospered instead of sinking into darkness. Anyway, she didn’t want to care anymore. She couldn’t care. As long as Link lied, she wouldn’t be conflicted.

But Link nodded. “I did.”

The Red Dragon Queen’s heart turned bitter. She said with difficulty, “You shouldn’t have saved me. You should’ve killed me!”

Link smiled. He rolled down his sleeves and pulled a book from his waist. “Actually, we were all fooled by the protector. The piece can’t do anything. It’s just a key. What I received, in the end, was a book of Secret spells.”

Link opened the leather buckle on the book and flipped through for Gretel. “Do you see? It’s all Secret spells and some Soul spells. This was left behind by some powerful ancient Magician. It has nothing to do with the World Tree.”

“Really?” Gretel’s eyes sparkled with happiness. The pained expression in her brows dissipated.

“When have I ever lied to you? In reality, you’re the one who’s always lying. Do you still remember the Dragon Valley?” Link asked in return, smiling.

Gretel sighed in relief. Link was right. She’d indeed lied to Link many times, tricking him into the Dragon Valley. Of course, these were nothing now. Even if the Soul spells in Link’s book were mostly forbidden, that didn’t matter either.

The most terrifying disagreement between them had disappeared. They didn’t have to kill each other anymore. It was enough.

Gretel’s brows curved and her voice became gentle. Her entire temperament grew gentle. “Thank you for saving me, Duke.”

“Duke?” Link arched an eyebrow in confusion.

“I think that your idea before was right. The dragon race can’t remain in the same spot. When I recover, I will return and persuade the elders to share the secret of the Dragon Power.”

Then, fearing Link wouldn’t agree, she asked, “Will you come back?”

“Your Majesty, I’m very happy you can understand me.” Link smiled and nodded. He agreed.

“Duke” was only a title to represent that he saw himself as part of the dragon race. But now, he and the Red Dragon Queen didn’t have any difference in status.

In reality, this was like an alliance. Link lowered his title in consideration of the ego of the ancient dragon race. (Take the Qing Dynasty tribute trade for example. It was trade but was called “tribute” for the Qing Dynasty’s ego.)

Gretel obviously knew they couldn’t return to the past. But after experiencing this event, she understood something. Decisions shouldn’t be made in a hurry. She should look forward—it may be a good thing.

“Where are we now?” Gretel looked around and only saw icy walls. There was a magic light above her head.

“We’re still in the extreme north. This is a hole I dug randomly to keep warm.” Link chuckled. As he spoke, he felt that Gretel’s wound had used up all her power again, so he started feeding her power.

“Your injury is very grave. The power cycle may even be damaged, so every now and then, I must feed your power to boost recovery. A few hours later when you’re better, I’ll take you to Ferde.”

Right now, the Red Dragon Queen didn’t have any power at all. It was all supplied by Link. She couldn’t recover it anymore, and Link didn’t know why. But seeing as her body kept using up power to heal itself, it was highly possible she would recover.

Gretel nodded in agreement.

After a pause, she suddenly thought of something. “What about those who’d come with you?”

“They’re okay. The test we experienced was actually an illusion. My people have returned to Ferde. The Mountain Sage also returned to Dwarf Mountain. The Warrior from the Isomerism Realm has also disappeared. I checked the tracks in the snow. They seemed to have gone towards the Black Forest.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Gretel sighed softly. “This way, we won’t be able to stop the fusion of the realms. Firuman will have trouble.”

Link nodded. “Indeed, but we’re still alive. There’s hope that we can solve it.”

Gretel looked at the young man. He was calm when he spoke. Even something as shocking as the realms fusing couldn’t shake him.

She smiled and thought, You’re wrong. As long as you’re here, then there is hope.